Ideas for improving maternal health in AR; survey shows worsening teen mental health
Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
ACHI is a nonpartisan, independent, health policy center that serves as a catalyst to improve the health of Arkansans.
Doulas, midwives, telemedicine, and mobile healthcare units could all help to improve Arkansas’s poor maternal health outcomes, panelists said Wednesday during a roundtable discussion at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. Co-hosted Sen. John Boozman and Olivia Walton, founder and CEO of Ingeborg Investments , the discussion brought together maternal health experts and advocates to explore how the state could reduce its maternal and infant mortality rates, which are among the highest in the nation. Representing ACHI at the event were President and CEO Joseph W. Thompson, MD, MPH , Health Policy Director Craig Wilson , and Director of External Relations Sandra McGrew, APR .
Multiple news outlets attended and reported on the discussion, including the Arkansas Advocate, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Axios NW Arkansas, Talk Business & Politics, 5 News, and 40/29 News.
ACHI is seeking to help policymakers make informed, evidence-based decisions by providing clear information on each step of the birthing journey in Arkansas. View our efforts in this area on our Maternal and Infant Health topic page.
A Closer Look
A new national survey finds worsening rates of persistent sadness, protective sexual behaviors, and experiences of violence among teens. The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes some positive trends, however, including decreased rates of illicit drug use and sexual activity among teens. ACHI Policy Analyst Elizabeth (Izzy) Montgomery takes a closer look at the findings.
From Our Blog
Following landmark negotiations between Medicare and drug makers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced last week that reduced prices for 10 of the costliest prescription medications will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. The first-ever negotiations, authorized under a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at making health care more affordable, will expand to additional drugs beginning in 2027. ACHI Senior Policy Analyst Jennifer Wessel has more on our blog, including a list of the 10 drugs and their negotiated prices.
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Wonks at Work
There is growing concern about the role social media plays in the mental health and development of young people. Arkansas and multiple other states, Congress, and the courts are all delving into the issue, and the U.S. surgeon general has even called for warning labels on social media platforms. In the latest episode of our Wonks at Work podcast, we learn more about the impacts of social media on Arkansas youth with Dr. Tiffany Howell, a pediatric psychologist at Arkansas Children's Hospital. And for more on the issue, visit our topic page.
Subscribe to our podcast at Spotify, iTunes, and SoundCloud to be among the first to know when new Wonks at Work episodes are posted.
Weight-Loss Drugs
Drugmaker Eli Lilly said Tuesday a three-year study found that for people with prediabetes who have obesity or are overweight, the drug tirzepatide reduces the risk of diabetes by 94%. Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Zepbound, which has been approved by the FDA for weight loss. It is also the active ingredient in Mounjaro, which has been approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes but can also be prescribed off-label for weight loss. For an in-depth look at these and other new drugs that have transformed how Americans treat diabetes and obesity, see our six-part blog series:
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Dr. Joe Thompson, ACHI president and CEO